OUR VIEW PENINSULA: Using digital to get real

There is something to be said about the new trail app for mobile devices that will enable families to find out more about Sidney Spit.

The Gulf Islands Natural Park Reserve launched its new app recently, featuring maps, quizzes, photos and information about Sidney Spit. It’s part of their Explora Trail App, which is already at work on other Gulf Islands.

As the old adage goes, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. The app is a great addition to the reams of hard-copy information out there about the parks on and around the Saanich Peninsula. After all, as more and more people turn to their digital devices first, why not have additional information and activities?

Hopefully, the apps will not only encourage people to learn more, but to perhaps put the phone or tablet away for a while and dig deeper.

It’s certainly great to be directed to a space in a park that’s unique in its history or natural environment.

It’s much greater if, once a person gets there, they get their hands dirty. Not necessarily by digging up dirt, but by exploring where they are —putting the electronics down for a second and enjoying what’s around them.

From the PNR’s preview of the Sidney Spit app, there appears to be a lot going for it — and Parks staff have made sure there are some pretty interesting things to find. By using modern technology to get people there, it could spark a life-long desire to explore, to learn more and even to perhaps someday develop an app of their own that goes into great detail about the things they dug up on Sidney Spit.

So, in that vein, the project is a success.

Hopefully, users of the Explora Trail App will take advantage of it, and enjoy the great outdoors — as brought to them via the digital world.